| Former type | Mutual society |
|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance |
| Fate | Acquired by Commercial Union |
| Successor | Aviva plc |
| Founded | 1696 |
| Defunct | 1905 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
The Hand in Hand Fire & Life Insurance Society was one of the oldest British insurance companies.
The company was founded in 1696 at Tom's Coffee House in St. Martin's Lane in London.[1] It was one of three fire insurance companies started after the Great Fire of London, and it was initially called the Contributors for Insuring Houses, Chambers or Rooms from Loss by Fire, by Amicable Contribution.[1] Less than thirty years later the other two insurers had failed, and the Hand in Hand was left as the oldest fire insurance company in the world. It was structured as a mutual society, and for 135 years it operated its own fire brigade and played an important part in shaping fire fighting and prevention.[1]
In 1905, the Hand in Hand was acquired by the Commercial Union Group.[1]